The Seattle Seahawks scored a unique special-teams touchdown in week 2 of the 2025 NFL season. After some confusion in Pittsburgh for rookie Kaleb Johnson, potentially due to newly implemented rules, the Seahawks recovered the ball in the end zone and scored a kicking-team touchdown. Seattle was able to keep the momentum going after the blunder made by the Steelers and took home their first win of the 2025 NFL season.
Unprecedented Touchdown
Early in the 4th quarter, Seattle kicked a field goal resulting in a 3-point lead over the Steelers. Up 17-14, they lined up for a routine kickoff to Pittsburgh. Jason Myers landed the ball in the landing zone, where it bounced over Johnson’s head toward the end zone. Johnson then ran off, appearing to assume it was a touchback in accordance with previous rules. But, with the new changes, a player must either cover or down the ball, and Myers only glanced back as it rolled off behind him.
Meanwhile, Seattle running back George Holani ran toward it, as did other members of the Seahawks. Holani threw himself on top of the ball and secured another TD for Seattle. This was the running backs first NFL career touchdown, and a unique way to secure the win for the Seahawks, giving them a 10-point lead.
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Rule Changes
This type of touchdown is unprecedented in the NFL due to recent rule changes made in the offseason. The new form of free-kick play is referred to as the Dynamic Kickoff. Changes to the rules were made to promote higher return rates throughout the league, which it has done so far. Other changes included moving the touchback from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line after ESPN data showed this helped result in a 43% reduction rate in concussions.
Ideally, this shift will further encourage kicking teams to put the ball in play, generating a return from the receiving team, rather than pushing deep into the end zone in pursuit of a touchback.
With the updated rules, any kickoff that lands in the landing zone, between the 20-yard line and the end zone, is a live ball. Meaning either the receiving team or the kicking team can make a play with the ball. The receiving team can pick it up and either return it, or take a touchback once it rolls into the end zone. However, as seen during Sunday’s game, the kicking team can also access the ball. Essentially, it acts as a live fumble, and during Johnson’s error, when Holani took control in the end zone, it gave the Seahawks an extra edge over the Steelers.
Thanks, in part, to Holani’s understanding of the NFL updates, the Seahawks ended up with the win against the Steelers. Other key players for the day included Kenneth Walker III, who put up an impressive run game. The Hawks passing game also saw improvement over week 1. Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba totaled 8 receptions on 10 targets with a team high of 103 yards. Cooper Kupp also stepped up this week, with 7 catches on 9 targets. The Seahawks ended the day with the win and a final score of 31-17 over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Seahawks Score After New Kickoff Rule Confusion